With the time piece open River waited with baited breath. All eyes, both mechanical and human were on the Doctor. After a long and almost unbearable pause he began to stride towards the Clockwork man until they were inches apart. The Doctor pushed his hair out of his face. His stern expression was fixed firmly on the hallow eyes. In a calm movement without shifting his stare, he took the watch out of the droid's hand. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear before turning on his heel and starting the short journey back towards River. For a few brief seconds River felt a wave of relief wash over her. The Doctor kept his eyes fixed upon her. The echo from his boots on the concrete was as monotonous as a ticking clock. Seeing River's expression falter and her hand shoot to her holster the Doctor spun on the spot. With seamless effort he withdrew his Screwdriver and aimed with the astonishingly bright green light, illuminating his angry expression. The advancing Clockwork man froze, before falling promptly into a heap on the floor.
"No second chances," he said firmly.
Kneeling down he searched the front dungaree pouch eventually pulling out the neural relay. He tucked it swiftly into his own pocket.
"Doctor," River's urgent voice came from over his shoulder, "there's not much time. We have to go"
He rose to his feet, once more pushing his unruly hair from his face, "Time to run," he smiled holding his hand out towards her. She grinned back with almost a hint of a blush.
"Charmer," she whispered sliding her fingers between his.
With that the escape began. They ran as quickly as they could down the straight corridor; and were promptly halted, far too soon for the Doctor's liking. In the corridor ahead, maybe five or six droids were blocking the way.
"Oh," the Doctor breathed, "that is... Very not good"
After a brief moment of calm the droids began a fierce quick march towards the pair. Without even bothering to turn around the time travellers backed away at pace. Their legs couldn't move quickly enough. Unaware of exactly how far back they'd been forced they found themselves stumbling backwards over the upgraded Clockwork man. The Doctor winced, the wind completely knocked out of him. He moved his head rapidly from side to side in an attempt to shake off the daze he found himself in. His eyes, blurry and unfocused, stared blankly at the awaking Clockwork figure at his feet. With it's mobility impaired it made a desperate grab for the Doctor's ankles. His hearts raced as he kicked wildly to shake off the iron grip.
"... Doctor..." River's shaking voice brought his attention back to the matter at hand. Now, even closer, even quicker, the army pressed on, closing up the already small gap. The Doctor's eyes widened, his thoughts clouded by this unavoidable fate.
Tucking his sweat drenched hair behind his ear for the final time the Doctor sprung into action. He forced his screwdriver into River's shaking hands as they backed up against the solid wall.
"Alright... Alright... Tardis..." he gasped as they crouched low.
"Sweetie it's still regenerating... And it's not here!" River protested.
"Yeah? ... Then why is your key glowing? ... Around your neck there..." He fished desperately in his jacket pockets.
"Sweetie... Now would be the time to do your 'Thing'..." Her eyes were fixed upon the fast approaching killing machines, their hooked right hands outstretched as they marched.
"It's a thing... In... Progress..." he breathed producing the vial of Huon particles from his pocket. He examined it carefully before gripping the handle tightly. The Droids were now metres away, "Sweetie," he said casually offering his arm. Ten feet away. Five feet away. River took hold of his arm tightly, "GERONIMO!" he yelled turning the handle sharply.
A familiar sound met their ears as a hazy white light engulfed them. A gush of cool air whirled past their faces as if the Clockwork men had run straight through them.
The pair now sat huddled together on the floor staring up at the welcome sight of the interior of the Tardis' blue doors. Eyes still wide they continued to stare at them in disbelief. The Doctor dared to blink as they turned their heads slowly to stare at each other. River let out a huge sigh of relief and flopped back against the floor of the Time Machine. The Doctor looked down at the vial of glowing Huon Particles.
"So we escape then... Excellent," he whispered, "... Love when I do that..." He climbed to his feet before turning to pull River up by her hands. She threw her arms tightly around his neck.
"You impossible... Brilliant... Wonderful... Genius of a man!" she gushed laying firm kisses on his lip between compliments.
"Well...," he grinned with mild embarrassment and pride, "Yeah..."